 Microsoft: Aero Glass is the final UI for Windows Vista
Back in 2001 Microsoft's early betas of Windows XP contained a user interface dubbed "Watercolor". But only months before the operating system shipped Microsoft completely replaced it with an entirely different look and feel called "Luna" which became known as "Windows XP Style".
That move has created speculation that current Windows Vista look and feel, called Aero glass, would be replaced by a different look and feel later in the beta process.
However, this week's PowerUser.TV podcast has an interview with Microsoft developers who have confirmed that there will be no major change to the look and feel of Windows Vista from what is being shown in build 5270. In other words, Aero-Glass is it.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 11, 2006, 2:56 pm
News Source : PowerUser
Download : Screenshot
Retailers Upset Over Format Wars
Major US retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City, and CompUSA are fuming over the ongoing battle between HD DVD and Blu-Ray, calling the consumer-bewildering battle "nightmarishly unfriendly" and "stupid." While consumers grow increasingly confused over the two formats, the major retail chains face a customer service nightmare.
While all three may sell millions of players and discs, the consumer backlash from a failing format could be very strong. Worse yet for retailers, many consumers may sit out the stormy first months and wait for one format to be declared the winner.
Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson was particularly concerned, stating "We are going to wind up with some number of consumers probably buying a format that dies, and we are probably going to wind up having to sell it to them. They are not going to be happy with us." CompUSA CEO Larry Mondry was equally as pessimistic, calling the industry "stupid" for repeating the BetaMax-VHS wars of the 1980s. "I don't care which way it goes, I just want it to go one (particular) way," he added.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 11, 2006, 2:56 pm
News Source : CNet
 ARIES (Sony) Rootkit Remover
During autumn 2005, Sony included rootkit-style content-protection software on approximately 4.7 million CDs of over 50 artists worldwide exposing consumer PCs to security holes. The XCP rootkit, developed by First4Internet, was inadvertently placed on unsuspecting systems and networks to hide Sony BMG?s DRM protection software. According to Sony, about six million CDs currently have this software on December 2005.
The ARIES Rootkit Remover developed by Lavasoft provides the means to locate and permanently remove the Sony rootkit from the system and disable the rootkit's ability to run once more after reboot. This standalone tool is a reliable, trustworthy, and safe way of removing the rootkit--unlike Sony's own rootkit remover that has been known to cause blue screens.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:45 pm
News Source : Neowin
Download : Remover
 Is Google DRM crippling culture as great as it seems
Anyone the least bit concerned about DRM (digital rights management) technology would likely have been put off by Google co-founder Larry Page's ho-hum approach to revealing the company's new proprietary media locks. And with good reason. "We have our own DRM that we're using," Page said, during a keynote at CES. "We'll be open to other things, but (creating our own) seemed like the easier thing to do."
Google's DRM will make its first appearance as part of a new video downloading service. Page revealed that customers will be able to buy TV shows from CBS, NBA basketball games and a host of other content with Google serving as the delivery broker for the video. This move mimics other technology companies - most notably Apple - which have struck deals with large media houses to send video over the web for a fee. Along with the service, Google has also released its own, slick video player. None of this is bad or surprising when examined from Google's perspective. The ad broker has every right to push on with new businesses and use its might, prestige and hype to secure prominent partnerships with the likes of CBS. And, heck, if Apple and Microsoft can create DRM systems, then why can't Google?
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:43 pm
News Source : The Reg
Debate Looms for GPL 3 Draft
The first draft of GNU General Public License Version 3 will be unveiled next week at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., but that milestone is likely to be more of a beginning than an ending. The release of the draft will kick off months of debate over the content and exact wording of the license that will govern much open-source software for the foreseeable future.
This is the first time in 15 years that the GPL, which governs many open-source projects, including the Linux kernel, has been updated to reflect the current IT environment. Sources said that the first draft will contain some type of patent protection and address the issues of intellectual property licensing, trusted computing and how to deal with software used over a network. The authors of the first draft, Richard Stallman, the license's original author, and Eben Moglen, the general counsel for the Free Software Foundation?both of whom will address attendees at the GPL event?would not confirm details of the draft, but it is expected to be fairly technical and complex in nature.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:42 pm
News Source : eWeek
Update for Windows XP (KB900485)
Install this update to resolve an issue in which you receive a ?stop 0x7e in aec.sys? error message on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2. The error may occur during startup, or after the system has started. AEC.SYS is the acoustic echo canceling driver. After you install this update, you may have to restart your computer.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:41 pm
News Source : Neowin
Download : Update
 Google Launches Major Video Service
Today, at CES, Google have announced Google Video Marketplace. The service is described by the company as being the " first open video marketplace enabling consumers to buy and rent a wide range of video content from a major television network, a professional sports league, cable programmers, independent producers and film makers."
" Google video will let you watch lots of high quality video on the web for the first time. You can search and browse, and we make it fast and easy for you to watch," said Larry Page. " For video producers and anyone with a video camera, Google Video will give you a platform to publish to the entire Google audience in a fast, free and seamless way." A monetarised version of Google Video had long been hinted at, and also brings to 'fruition' rumours of a Google payment service.
Google has teamed up with CBS, offering (commercial free) popular shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Survivor and The Amazing Race. Google will also be offering all NBA games online, 24Hrs after happening. For a complete list of content, click 'read more' below. Google claims that non-copyrighted videos will be available to iPod and PSP users, in an optimized format. Whilst there is no clear statement on the DRM involved, it would appear that the 'premium content' will be restricted; whilst the Google Video Marketplace will be available worldwide, the company will only be selling said content to US users. Google said the service would be available to users in the coming hours.
We'll update this post if any more information emerges from the Keynote or the service goes live in the immediate future; if you haven't already checked out the recently announced Google Pack have a look here. Minor update Google Pack users can download the Google Video Player here, used to play downloaded content. It looks like a (rather poor) mash up between the flash player online and a copy of VLC; interestingly, it doesn't appear to play content other than that downloaded from Google.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:37 pm
News Source : Neowin
Panasonic Unveils Blank Blu-Ray Media Prices
In another bit of Blu-Ray news this day, Panasonic has revealed its recordable and rewriteable media specs and initial prices. Beginning in spring 2006, Panasonic will begin supplying single and dual layer discs in 25 and 50GB capacities to consumers seeking high-capacity removable storage.
Single layer, recordable discs will debut at $17.99 and $42.99 each respectively. Rewriteable varieties will see $24.99 and $59.99 price tags per disc. While initial prices seem high in comparison to DVD and HD DVD formats, Sony, the main developer and supporter of Blu-Ray, claims that once mass production takes place the price differences will quickly erode. The discs will write at 2x speeds and will be read by consumer electronics players and computer devices. To put this into perspective, 1x in Blu-Ray terms is 36Mbps or roughly 4.29MBps, while standard DVD speed is measured in multiples of roughly 1.32MBps.
Panasonic boasts many special in-house developments which went into its discs. Special inorganic light-resistant materials were used for recordable discs, while rewriteable discs use a highly sensitive recording film. New surface treatments are employed to make the discs more durable the resistant to scratches.
Panasonic expects its recently announced PC burners to be available this quarter, while consumer players will debut in Q2 of this year.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:36 pm
News Source : Xbit Labs
Channel9: Developing Windows Vista
The folks over at Channel9 lead by self-proclaimed 'Microsoft Geek' Robert Scoble have posted some great videos as of late concerning the development of Windows Vista. The amount of work that goes into creating a software product like Vista is staggering. These videos really put into perspective the problems and challenges faced by Microsoft in developing their next generation OS.
Recording Sounds for Windows Vista
"Robert Fripp was on the Microsoft campus a few weeks back. He's the famous guitarist and composer, known for his founding role in the band King Crimson. So, what was he doing on campus? Recording the various sounds we'll all hear in Windows Vista."
Windows Vista Kernel Architecture
"Rob Short is the corporate vice president in charge of the team that architects the foundation of Windows Vista. This is a fascinating conversation with the kernel architecture team. Out of all the interviews we've done this one is the most interesting because this team has such a deep impact on how reliable, scalable, secure, etc Windows Vista actually will be."
Windows Vista Sidebar and Gadgets
"Gadgets are a new category of mini-application designed to provide information, useful lookup, or enhance an application or service on your Windows PC or the Web. Examples might include a weather gadget running on your desktop or on your homepage, an RSS Gadget that pulls in your favorite feeds, or an extension of a business application providing just-in-time status on the pulse of your business."
Redesigning the Vista Audio Stack
"Much of the guts of Windows audio have been moved up into the land of the user and this has consequences for both Windows audio developers at the API level and for Windows at the general programmability, reliability and stability levels."
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:35 pm
News Source : channel9
CES: BluRay specs finalized
The Blu-Ray Association finally agreed on the specs on the first generation of Blu-Ray DVDs. They will come in 25 gigabyte and 50 gigabyte sizes.
This sets the stage for manufacturers to begin producing the DVD format. Meanwhile, HD-DVD also appears to have a great deal of support at CES. Walking around the show floor looks like a shoot-out at the OK Coral between the two specs as different vendors lined up the advantages of their form factor over the other.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:35 pm
News Source : Neowin
Winner Of Microsoft PC Design Competition Announced
At the CES conference in Las Vegas this week, Microsoft chief Bill Gates announced the winner of the Start Something PC competition.
The main prize of $50,000 was won by Prashant Chandra, an Indian born designer. Chandra's design might best be described as a 'clam-shell' tablet PC, designed around the idea of a backpack. In addition to Chandra, Sungho Son won a second award, for a similar amount, for his design. Son developed a book-shelf PC that aimed to deal with copyright problems in the digital age.
The award is in honour of twenty years of Windows, but more in honour of the 'change' in Windows Vista. Dell representative Ken Musgrave said that " Much of the innovation in desktops has been focused on getting the benefit of greater computing power and value in the hands of more people.? He believes that PC design will be more important in the coming years, and hopes the competition will help spur it on.
Based on the competition's global interest, Microsoft intends to make the event annual.You can view the winning designs, and more, at the Start Something link below.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: January 9, 2006, 2:34 pm
News Source : Neowin
What can we expect from Microsoft in 2006
Bink has written up a comprehensive listing of what we can expect from Microsoft in 2006, among the most obvious like Windows Vista -Microsoft actually do quite a bit in other areas as you will see from the list.
Snip: "Just like last year I made a list of what released we can expect from Microsoft in 2006. Last year's list turned out to be pretty accurate, the only things wrong weren't my mistake but delays or change of plans.
If you thing someting is missing or wrong please let me know through a comment or sending an email to news at bink nu.
This list is based on facts, assumptions and wild guesses. it will be updated by your feedback!"
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 31, 2005, 12:21 pm
News Source : Bink
Windows XP memory tweak guide
It?s been a long time since we posted our initial Windows XP memory guide, and given the advancements in PC hardware and the increased system requirements of applications nowadays, it was about time the guide got an update.
There are several components to the Windows memory subsystem. For the most part this guide will be targeting the Hard Drive, CPU, and RAM, optimally configuring these along the way, and clearing up many of the placebos surrounding memory management in XP.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 31, 2005, 12:13 pm
News Source : Techspot
F-Secure Issues Warning on XP SP2 WMF Vulnerability
Antivirus and security experts F-Secure have issued a warning to users of Microsoft Windows XP that includes fully patched Service Pack 2 machines. The exploit is carried out via WMF files carrying a zero-day WMF exploit detected as W32/PFV-Exploit A, B, and C. According to F-Secure it is very easy to fall victim to this exploit, especially if you are using Internet Explorer. It's as simple as visiting an infected web site or viewing a folder with infected files with Windows Explorer. F-Secure has informed Microsoft and while a patch is expected to be issued quickly, they warn that Windows administrators and/or users may want to filter all WMF files until a patch is released.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 31, 2005, 12:12 pm
News Source : F-Secure
Merry Xmas
Merry Xmas to all our readers/members.
Normal service will resume in the New Year.
Until then why not check out our Forums here - http://forums.cheesenibblets.co.uk/
News Posted by : Dodge On
: December 24, 2005, 5:17 pm
Downloads Could Decide Christmas Top Spot
While we enjoy our turkey dinner this Sunday, pop artists will be hoping for that coveted UK Christmas Number 1, and with the introduction of downloads into the official chart it looks as though they could play a key role in the Christmas charts.
According to the British Phonographic Industry weekly downloads could reach an all time high this week, topping the 1million mark, whereas an average would be 650,000. Downloads now count for 70% of single sales in the UK, up from 25% this time last year. A huge achievement and more indication that singles as we know them are on their last leg.
With downloading more popular among those with credit cards, it means that this years Christmas contest will be an even more hard fought battle, with new pop star Shayne Ward pinning his hopes on the younger audience to help them reach the top spot, it could be the older generation that help Nizlopi hold onto their number 1. BPI Spokesman Matt Philips added "Although you can't put a download under the tree, seven out of 10 singles are sold as downloads and they are going to play a significant part in deciding this year's Christmas number one."
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 20, 2005, 4:47 pm
News Source : BPI
Warez And Big Brother Will See You
Stop, hold the presses! The RIAA is not the evil spying corporation that we've been reading about the past year.
No contrary to popular belief it is not the RIAA who employee techs to spy on naughty people downloading copyrighted material, it's Bay TSP. Bay TSP is a comprehensive, automated 24x7 surveillance operating with worldwide coverage of:
* Websites
* All major P2P networks
* 65,000+ newsgroups
* FTP sites
* IRC
* Auction/retail sites
The RIAA/MPAA are clients of Bay TSP who collect all the data and work out exactly what pirated movie or software application is popular each month and whom is downloading it.
According to Bay TSP last month, The Interpreter was the most popular movie after being downloaded 50,336 times, shortly followed by The Skeleton Key at 47, 348. Interestingly the most pirated software was SUSE Linux 9.0 at 78, 159 copies followed by Acrobat 7 at 43, 803.
The data is comprehensive pinpointing the peak time of day, average shared files per user and how this varies across different methods of sharing files. It's impressive that this kind of data can be extracted from file sharing networks, IRC and newsgroups to name a few but is it stopping piracy? You have to wonder whether said data is being collected until such a time when the companies have more power to act against those who pirate copyrighted materials.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 20, 2005, 4:46 pm
News Source : Neowin
Ear Buds Cause Hearing Loss
For the "hip and happening" set - it might be "cool" to listen to music on an iPod or MP3 player, with ear buds plugged directly into the ears But Dean Garstecki, a Northwestern University audiologist, warns that these ear buds might increase the risk of hearing loss.
Garstecki says that ear buds associated with modern devices the likes of iPods, MP3 players, etc, boost sound signals by as much as 6 to 9 decibels, and are likely to result in loss of hearing. According to Garstecki, an increasing number of young people are now experiencing the kind of hearing loss found in aging adults, which can be traced back to their music habits.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 20, 2005, 4:45 pm
News Source : Techtree
Microsoft Patch Jams up IE7 on XP
Last Tuesday's "critical" security fix for Internet Explorer is causing trouble for users who have been testing the new IE 7 browser.
Microsoft has received "scattered reports of users experiencing odd browser behavior" after installing the latest security update, Jeremy Dallman, project manager for Internet Explorer security at the company, wrote in a Friday posting to a corporate blog.
Three different problems have been reported: The browser could crash right after starting up; links may come up blank; or multiple windows may open when the browser is initiated, according to the posting.
"After investigating several of these reports, we have traced these issues to a common source," Dallman wrote. The culprit is IE 7, the next version of Microsoft's Web browser, which is in beta testing. The problems occur only if IE 7 is installed on a machine alongside IE 6. That double-IE configuration is not supported by the fix, according to Dallman's note.
When installed next to IE 6, the first beta of IE 7 will add an incorrectly configured key to the Windows Registry the first time it is run, he wrote. The problem with the patch can be solved by deleting the key from the Windows Registry. The Windows Registry is a core part of the operating system that stores PC settings.
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 20, 2005, 4:44 pm
News Source : Neowin
 Microsoft to cease support for IE.. on a Mac
A posting at Slashdot that could be interesting for all those Macintosh users that still care to use IE.
"A while ago, Microsoft stopped updating IE for Mac, freezing it at version 5. But according to this Microsoft webpage, all support will cease December 31, 2005, and any official distribution with cease January 31, 2006. Also, the webpage suggests 'that Macintosh users migrate to more recent web browsing technologies such as Apple's Safari.'"
News Posted by : GoogleFreak On
: December 20, 2005, 4:44 pm
News Source : Slashdot
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